My impression was that he gets kind of burned out and just wants to get out and be on his own rather than posing for a lot of pictures with people and making small talk.

I'm sure he does. Having been in a similar position on a much smaller scale -- chief editor of a major publication in my industry -- I can say that it's absolutely exhausting. Add in lots of international travel and being surrounded by people who don't speak your language (or speak it badly), and I'm sure there are plenty of mornings when he'd just as soon stay in bed.